Checklist on how to find the right accommodation

Once you begin the process of determining the right accommodation for an employee or applicant, using a problem-solving approach, you should:

□ Decide if the employee with a disability is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without an accommodation.

□ Identify the employee's workplace accommodation needs by:

• involving the employee who has the disability in every step of the process;

• employing confidentiality principles while exploring ways to provide workplace accommodations;

• consulting with rehabilitation professionals, if needed;

• using job descriptions and job analyses to detail essential functions of the job; and

• identifying the employee's functional limitations and potential accommodations.

□ Select and provide the accommodation that is most appropriate for the employee and employer, considering the following guidelines:

• costs should not be an undue hardship;

• accommodations selected should be effective, reliable, easy to use, and readily available for the employee needing the accommodation; and

• an employee should try the product or piece of equipment prior to purchase.

□ Check results by:

• monitoring the accommodation to see if the adaptation enables the employee to complete the necessary work tasks; and

• periodically evaluating the accommodation to ensure effectiveness.

□ Provide follow-up, if needed, by:

• modifying the accommodation if necessary; or

• repeating these steps if appropriate.